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I believe it is important for everyone to develop good habits for a healthy lifestyle and to be physically fit.
This is especially important for those in the law enforcement profession given the nature of their work and the many different situations they encounter protecting themselves and the public. Today I want to tell you about the wellness and fitness program that I have implemented to help our deputies to develop better lifestyle habits. Individual progress will be monitored during twice-yearly health assessments. This program will compliment a community initiative promoting better lifestyles that you have probably read or heard about through our local media. We all know the benefits of staying healthy and having a regime of regular exercise and proper diet. It is a well-publicized fact that staying healthy reduces your chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke or having to deal with cancer, diabetes or other serious illnesses.
Law enforcement officers need to be fit so they can adequately perform their sworn duty to protect the public. During a typical shift a deputy doesn’t know what awaits them on their next call. It can be a fight at a local nightspot or angry participants in an abusive domestic situation. An officer may be involved in a foot pursuit so being fit lessens the risk to the officer’s life. In a physical confrontation an officer needs to be able to protect himself or herself and the public. Physical training is an essential part of any officer’s survival and improves individual effectiveness performing their job.
Compounding the problem is the unusual hours and limited time for meals for deputies while they are on the job. I believe maintaining a healthy weight and a strong body are keys to reducing illness and on-the-job injuries. Worrking with our officers to help them develop healthy habits will be Sgt. Yvonne Johnson, who is also the physical training instructor for the Basic Law Enforcement Academy at Cleveland State Community College. I am confident she will do an excellent job assisting our personnel to improve their overall health through a number of wellness measures, which includes a partnership with our local YMCA. The first assessment is scheduled to be completed in June. At that time Sgt. Johnson will see how each officer has progressed in the program and that will help her set the “benchmark” for improvement.
The program includes a walk-run, push-ups, sit-ups, and a flex reach, which is a way to check the deputy’s ability to bend.
The success of the wellness and fitness program will require a personal commitment to maintain proper weight and personal conditioning. |
